By Kruah Thompson
Residents of Gbazon community, on Camp Johnson Road in Monrovia, have attacked a group of At-Risk-Youth locally known as “zogos,” in an attempt to drive them out of their neighborhood.
Armed with rattles, stacks, and other materials, the angry residents stormed a ghetto, assaulting anyone they identified as At-Risk-Youth. The chaotic situation resulted in injuries among the targeted individuals, while others fled for safety.
The incident unfolded early Friday, February 2, 2023, when community residents raised serious concern about their safety, demanding At-Risk-Youth to vacate the area.
While the motives behind the attack are not entirely clear, it is speculated that the community members are frustrated with what they perceived as a rise in criminal activities attributed to the at-risk youth.
Eyewitnesses narrated that a group of residents had confronted the At-Risk-Youth on many occasions to leave, accusing them of various misdemeanors and disruptive behavior within the community.
One resident, Abyss Kamara, justified the attack, citing the community’s growing concern over increasing criminal activities involving the at-risk youth during nighttime. Kamara couldn’t identify specific assailants but expressed the belief that forceful removal was necessary to restore peace and safety to the community.
“We have five ghettos in this community, and we are ready for them. If they refuse to leave the ghettos, we will be waiting to beat them if they return, and we will not stop until they can learn their lesson,” one community member warns.
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The aftermath of the incident saw a divided community, with some residents defending the action, emphasizing their readiness to take further steps if the At-Risk-Youth refused to leave.
However, with their continued refusal to leave, the residents stormed into the five ghettoes in the community, beating anyone they saw inappropriately dressed.
The beating occurred in broad daylight, with residents taking matters into their own hands.
While no local authorities were on the scene to calm the situation and restore order, some at-risk youth sustained major injuries during the assault.
Local activists have condemned the violent approach, emphasizing the importance of addressing underlying issues affecting the youth rather than resorting to physical force.
A local organization advocating for the rights of vulnerable populations under the umbrella of youth in action for a better Liberia is calling for a thorough investigation to ensure justice is served. Editing by Jonathan Browne
